Expectations for the Redskins this season were low. But after a 2-4 start, the team won seven of its last 10 to win the National Football Conference Eastern Division.

A bunch of loyal local Redskins rooters gathered at the Broadneck Grill and Cantina in Cape St. Claire to see if their team could get past star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and advance to the next round.

"Yeah, I was surprised to see them in the playoffs. But it's a pleasant surprise," said Stephanie Dorn, a Washington resident and Redskins fan since birth who was visiting the area with a friend. "I'm a die-hard fan, win or lose."

Joshua McKerrow, staff / Capital Gazette

Bartender Jane Bateman is wearing a Redskins jersey at the Broadneck Grill Cantina in Cape St. Claire as the team plays a playoff game.

Bartender Jane Bateman is wearing a Redskins jersey at the Broadneck Grill Cantina in Cape St. Claire as the team plays a playoff game. (Joshua McKerrow, staff / Capital Gazette)

Mostly, it's been lose. This was just the team's fourth winning season since 1999 and only the fourth playoff appearance in that span. The team had has eight head coaches and 16 starting quarterbacks during that time.

Fans were skeptical about this season, too. But this year's starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, blossomed as the season progressed. He led the team to four straight victories to close the season and the Redskins won the division, albeit the worst in football, with a 9-7 record.

The crowd at the bar was a little thin to start. But the bartenders turned out in full Redskins regalia, one sporting Alfred Morris' No. 46 jersey and another clad in a No. 21 jersey to honor the late star safety, Sean Taylor. Bartender Jane Bateman wore a custom jersey — No. 5 with the name April on the back.

"It's honoring my best friend who passed away; her name was April," Bateman said. "She was such a huge fan. She's buried in Landover overlooking FedExField."

Those gathered looked up from their plates of chicken wings to see the Redskins record a safety just four minutes into the game. "Yeah, let's go!" someone yelled as others cheered.

A first-half touchdown pass to receiver DeSean Jackson brought the room to life again. But the score was nullified and Washington had to settle for a field goal.

Several iffy plays and a sack of Cousins made some fans nervous, worried that the stumbling Redskins were back to their old tricks. But a few defensive stops and a spectacular catch by tight end Jordan Reed brought hope back again at the end of the first quarter. A touchdown pass from Cousins to Reed got the fans even more charged up. But after the Redskins missed the conversion kick, that familiar doubt crept in again.

"They kind of won by attrition in the division," said Scott Richardson, a recently converted New York Giants fan.

He and his wife, Donna, grew up in New Jersey and just this year decided to support the burgundy and gold.

"I work at Andrews Air Force Base and all the guys I work with are Redskins fans," he said. "They wore me down and I adopted the Redskins this year."

"And we love the food," Donna said.

The first Redskins' drive of the second half brought a round of whoops and hollers when Cousins ran the ball in for a touchdown to give the Redskins a 18-17 lead.

It wasn't enough, though. Rodgers directed the Packers to a pair of second-half touchdowns and a commanding lead. An uneasy quiet settled over the room as the Packers started marching down the field to begin the fourth quarter toward their final touchdown.

"It's been a long time coming, it's been years," said fan Linda Fabian, of Arnold. "My brother and son are probably making a lot of noise at their house."

Green Bay did indeed score again for a 32-18 lead early in the fourth quarter.